We have transformed our site. It's not just the name and brand that have changed, but the backend system of the website as well. The first version of the site ran on ERPNext blog pages, but we thought it would be better to separate the backend processes from the public site. This step worked out well, as it simplified the operation, maintenance, and updating of the ERP system. On the website side, the positives were many, as astro.build allowed us to realize any dream and have a completely unique site while maintaining lightning-fast loading times.
If everything was so great, why the change?
While the previous solution was indeed good for us, practical experience showed that it lacked a CMS (Content Management System) and user-friendliness. It was suitable for those familiar with IT, but for clients whose main field is not IT, it was too big a task to learn or an unnecessary cost to develop and operate the associated CMS, which also needed to be learned.
Since we use what we recommend to others—basically, we recommend what works for us—we had to rethink this operation based on customer needs. This also aligned with our own needs, as it's much easier to write a post on the Blogger interface or even dictate it via the Blogger mobile app than to use git commands for publishing and corrections with new content.
So, we needed something different. But why exactly Blogger?
Because it easily meets the aforementioned user-friendliness. But that's not enough, as we have much higher demands, which other platforms could also meet. What other factors led to the migration to Blogger and the recommendation of the Blogger platform?
In summary, it does everything we were accustomed to with astro.build, meaning if we do it right, we can create a lightning-fast site with this as well, just as we have already done for a few clients alongside our own backendo.com site. In addition to user-friendliness and speed, it's also important that it is flexible, which is a basic feature of Blogger. Everything can be customized here, as seen on the backendo.com site; no original Blogger design is visible. A completely unique look can be built, which also means custom codes can be applied, making it well-connected with other software (an API is even available if needed).
Besides speed, scalability is worth mentioning, which Google handles for us, along with security and version updates. In one word: It works. And a working solution is better than those that are almost ready and will still need fixes.
Of course, there will always be something to do with it, as there are always new ideas, but that's just how IT and marketing are. However, it matters whether you can focus on the actual work or if resources go into unnecessary developments. This is one of the keys for clients, which we also follow with other software: It should be invested in, but it matters what it is spent on. Therefore, we recommend customizing ready-made solutions and using free and open-source software so that the amount intended for licenses can be spent on a working, customized solution for the client.
To mention a downside, of course, you need to understand it. For example, its template management system is completely different from familiar solutions, but ultimately, we are still talking about basic HTML and JavaScript solutions. So, it doesn't matter at the developer level what you touch if needed and what you learn; as a user, this working solution is simply maintainable in the long run, which cannot always be said about more complex, expensive systems.
The content is the key, and with Blogger's import-export functionality, if the situation or needs change later on, we will still find a solution. There's no vendor lock-in, the content is ours, and we just get a great system to manage it.
